a visit from a sweet friend

I was really excited to hear from a good friend of mine over memorial day. She was coming to Oregon to visit her husband's sister and wanted to get together. It happened that she was only going to be an hour from my house so of course I agreed. We found a spot in the middle to meet and it was a great day. There is a riverfront park in Salem that I have never been to and it was nice. It had a carousel that you could ride for 1.50 but since it was Sunday we didn't go on. Trish found the next best thing outside to ride:) There was also an old fashion steamboat that was fun to watch. You sign up and it takes you for a ride and they provide a meal. Its quite expensive though so I dont know if I ever will do it. I was just content eating a picnic and visiting with my good friend. She was an old roommate of mine and I just love her. The last time I saw her was 3 years ago when I catered her wedding lunch. It was fun to meet her new little boy Connor and the other family she brought. I love days like this and wish they happened more often! I would love to see any of you if you want to make the drive:)

Its a girl!

This last week I became an aunt again to a sweet little girl! Her name is Ivy Joy and I cant wait to meet her! I love being an aunt except when I live too far away to enjoy them. I am so glad she is in our family. The same day she was born my cousin Jodi gave birth to her twin girls!I would post a picture of them but I dont know how to take pictures off my phone.Its fun to share birthdays with loved ones:) Welcome to our Family! (I hope the parents dont mind that I borrowed the picture.)

Bridal Shower

The same weekend that we had Phil's wedding and graduation we managed to squeeze a bridal shower in! I know you think we are crazy and maybe we are:)My cousin Brian was getting married the next weekend so it was nice we could do this. He got married to a sweet girl Hollie. It was a great time and so fun to see cousins we haven't seen in so long. My cousin's wife just had a new baby boy so it was great we got to meet him. He was so cute and I thought it was a fun addition to the great grandkids!

Just so you know

I have quite a few posts so make sure you keep scrolling down! Sorry they are all coming up at once. I got on a roll and kept going. I have a few more to post but I will do that another day. I hope you enjoy and dont go crazy with all the pictures:)

Mother's Day

For Mother's day my sister and I decided that we really needed to makeover my mom's bathroom. It just needed some color and a little love. Needless to say we ran out of money before we could get all of our ideas done. I think it turned out really cute with what we had bought. I think she liked it and next is the guest bedroom!

Phil's Graduation

Did I mention that Phil was graduating the same weekend he was getting married? It was a very full weekend. I am so proud that he graduated! I know sometimes there were some really challenging times. It was great to be able to be there to help him celebrate the day!

funnest reception ever!

I am sorry there are so many pictures but I think pictures really tell the story! Phil and Stacie had their reception at a place called the River woods and it was so pretty. The inside and outside were really nice. Stacie comes from a very talented family and had so many quilts and crafty things. It was fun to see all the stuff she had made. My sisters and I were not really looking forward to sitting through a reception. We were thinking of just staying an hour and then go home. It turned out to be so fun to be there! We were sitting on the side so when people got through with the line they came to us:) It was so fun to see so many from are old wards and friends of the family. We stayed all the way to the end and had a great night.

Wedding Bells

This might be a long post so bare with me:)My brother Phil has been dating a few girls this last year but nothing to serious. In January he started dating this girl Stacie that was in his ward. He had been her home teacher for 7 months but this was the first time they dated. When I came home in March he started talking that they had discussed marriage! I couldn't believe he was serious! He said well when you know you know! Next thing I know they are engaged and set May 7th as their wedding day! After meeting Stacie and seeing how they are together I couldn't ask for a better girl for Phil. They are perfect together and I am really happy for them. Here a few of the many pictures I took at the wedding. I was really happy that my 90 year old grandma could come. I got her ready the day of the wedding which is no easy thing when your legs dont work anymore! I think Phil was really happy to have her there. Enjoy the pictures! I did this backward so sorry that you are looking at reception pictures before the wedding:)

Amazing woman

One of the most inspiring people I have ever read about. I hope I can meet her someday and thank her for helping me through her example. I hope you enjoy watching and listening to her she is amazing!

Tulips as far as the eye can see!

Last year I went to this tulip festival and loved it! I had to make sure to go back this year. It didn't dissapoint at all it was so breath taking! There is a lady in our ward that Trish and I have taken under our wing. She is so sweet and reminds me of a mix of my grandma's. Her own family doesn't visit her very much so we have enjoyed taking her with us. She had a blast and of course she had to bring her toy poodle punkin:) I hope you enjoy the pictures!

I promise I am still alive!

Hi! Did anyone miss me? I have so many new posts that I need to do! I am sorry I haven't been around. I have had major issues with my computer like the cord started on fire so I had to get a new one:( Then the one they sent me has not worked either so I am hoping this next week it will come. I have really missed your blogs and being able to post. I hope I didn't lose all of my readers. Anyway stay tuned I hope to get a few posts done this week!